Not only Mayer & Cie. – the world's leading manufacturer of circular knitting machines – but also other companies of the Mayer & Cie. Group were present on the joint stand, creating an all-round "circular knitting" competence centre covering the fields of single and double jersey as well as fully fashion (Mayer & Cie.), high-pile (Mayer Industries), hosiery and seamless body size (MERZ). The stand also boasted a leading manufacturer of sinkers in the form of Group member Rüster, whose high-tech products met with a lively response at the show.
Overall Mayer & Cie. has pronounced itself highly satisfied with the outcome of the ITMA. Although the number of visitors was noticeably down in Birmingham compared to the last show four years ago in Paris, interest registered by visitors to the Mayer & Cie. stand was almost on a par the Paris level. This was doubtless due to the large number of technical innovations on show at the stand, all designed to clearly highlight the way into the future for the circular knitting industry. For MERZ, the latest of the Mayer & Cie. subsidiaries, it was a new body size machine which stole the limelight, a development which bears the unmistakable Mayer & Cie. signature.
The Mayer & Cie. approach to the ITMA 2003 was characterized by its motto "Your future in knitting". Even the overall visual impression created by the stand design with its predominant use of glass and metal was a clear pointer towards the "future" theme, which was manifested for visitors in the "Computer control centre" and the "Machine hall".
The control centre was not only used to access interesting and topical information about the exhibited machines. Visitors were also offered the opportunity to experience MDA – short for Machine Data Acquisition – in an impressive hands-on demonstration via an online connection to the "Delta" knitting factory in Egypt. The demo left visitors to the stand in no doubt that the Mayer & Cie. software sets whole new standards in comparison with today's familiar factory monitoring system software.
MCTmatic was another theme which featured throughout the Mayer & Cie. exhibition stand, and one which met with a highly enthusiastic response from visitors. This automation facility eliminates the quality wheel, ensures a reliable, order-specific yarn supply as well as reproducibility for repeat orders, resulting in decisively reduced setting errors and consequently also lower yarn costs.
While MCTmatic components were featured at all the exhibited machines, it was the MV 4-3.2 II which came fully equipped with complete MCTmatic package.
On the scale of visitor interest generated at the stand, the exhibited FS 2.0 machine took undisputed first place. This is the first ever rib machine capable of casting on independently, effectively putting in an end to laborious joining work. This "miracle" – as many of the stand visitors termed it – is achieved by the stitch being held in position with the support of the sinker.
In terms of attracting visitor interest, the MV 4-3.2 II came a very close second to the rib machine. Complete with the full MCTmatic equipment package, the machine provided a highly convincing demonstration of 1. automatic machine setting, 2. service diagnostics and 3. stock management and quality monitoring. Operation is simplified by automation, and the technology is controlled by the software. The resulting productivity benefits mean that the slightly higher investment outlay required is quickly recouped.
As expected, the Relanit 4.0 also attracted lively interest. It was hardly surprising that everyone wanted to appraise what is currently the world's highest performing single jersey machine in operation at first hand: Spectators were left in no doubt about the enormous streamlining reserves opened up by this machine.
Jacquard plush with electronically controlled sinker and needle selection – with its MPU 0.8 EE, Mayer & Cie. was demonstrating the very first circular knitting machine for plush with double electronics.
Another plush innovation was in store for visitors in the form of the MPU 1.4 DE: Jacquard double plush with electronically controlled sinker selection for plush on both fabric faces.
Another highlight at the show was circular knitted fully fashion production, with the OVJA 1.1 TTRB demonstrating the enormous range of possibilities opened up by today's circular knitting technology. Fully electronic three-way jacquard with electronic individual needle selection in the dial and cylinder cam, combined with stripes, transfer and welt. This machine offers not only a unique variety for fashion production but also a firm welt for fully fashioned articles with different waistband structures. The general consensus among visitors was that far from being just an eye catcher, the OVJA 1.1 TTRB represents the beginning of a whole new future in circular knitting.
Visitors witnessed another decisive step into the future in the form of hook needles instead of latches. Still very much under debate in the rest of the industry, this new technology was presented here for appraisal in practical application.
The newly developed hook needles for stitch formation were sported by the MV 3-3.2 H, which was busy on the stand producing top-quality fabric in bulk. The benefits: No latch wear, fewer needle-related interruptions, reduced needle costs.
Whichever way they looked, visitors were able to witness the future of circular knitting technology materialized for the present day on the Mayer & Cie. stand. The same applied to the topic of "technical fabrics". The Relanit 0.8 on show is able to process metal yarns with the same ease as yarns made of carbon, PES or fibreglass – also in combination with cotton. This technology brings the future within tangible grasp, opening up whole new potential markets for circular knitting.
Back to textile fashions and the OV 3.2 QC, the most successful double piqué machine ever produced. This model was included among the Mayer & Cie. exhibits in Birmingham firstly because its reliability, performance and flexibility guarantee it a place among tomorrow's greats, and secondly to show off a new compact open-width frame featuring sliding doors to increase the space-saving effect and further enhance user convenience.
Not among the Birmingham exhibits for reasons of space was the new Relanit 2.4 – a highly economical alternative featuring the full three-way technique without additional cams, as well as short resetting times.
It did not take long for this unique presentation of outstanding competence in the "circular knitting" theme to get itself talked about around the show, ensuring a non-stop lively buzz around the Mayer & Cie. stand. Managing Partner Rainer Mayer, who was present on the stand in Birmingham throughout the show, was upbeat in his appraisal: "We have every reason to be optimistic about the year 2004!".
